Restaurant Inventory Management Service Essentials

A great restaurant inventory management system does more than offer smart features – it comes with a team that helps you succeed. Even the most advanced technology can fall short without the right service and support to back it up.

In this follow-up to our System Essentials guide, we’ll look at the “Service Essentials” that restaurant brands should expect from their system provider, because expert guidance, responsiveness, and partnership are just as critical as the software itself.

Fast Restaurant Inventory System Setup 

Getting started with a new inventory system should not feel like a second job. The best providers make the onboarding process quick and worry-free – handling most of the setup work for you. If you want to save several weeks, look for a provider that takes responsibility for configuring your inventory item database, including count and recipe units, so your team doesn’t have to build it from scratch.

Setup fees should also be reasonable. For restaurant brands operating multiple locations using the same menu, there’s typically little added cost for the provider to set up additional sites. Providers that use intelligent tools to streamline setup can deliver faster implementation at a much lower price without cutting corners on accuracy or support.

Effortless Inventory Maintenance for Lasting Accuracy 

The initial setup of your inventory system is just the beginning. Maintaining accurate inventory items across multiple locations is an ongoing task that requires constant attention. New items, supplier substitutions, and other changes happen regularly, and if your data isn’t kept current, reporting accuracy and cost controls can quickly erode.

A good inventory system provider doesn’t expect your team to manage your inventory database on your own. Look for a partner that offers ongoing inventory item maintenance as part of their service. Providers who handle this work for you will not only save your staff countless hours but also ensure your system remains up to date across all locations.

Live Training and Self-Paced Learning 

Even the most intuitive system is only as effective as the people using it. The best

providers offer free, regularly scheduled online training classes with a live instructor. This ensures your current team is proficient, and that future hires can be onboarded quickly without placing extra strain on managers or support staff.

In addition to live classes, comprehensive training resources – such as online videos, help articles, AI context-sensitive help, and step-by-step guides – allow staff to learn at their own pace and reference information whenever questions arise. When a provider combines free training with easily accessible resources, your team can confidently use the system.

Expert Consultation from Restaurant Pros 

Expert consultation begins during the sales process, helping to understand your operational goals and recommend solutions that align with them. This guidance continues through the initial setup, ensuring your system is configured for optimum performance. Look for providers that offer free, regularly scheduled consultation sessions throughout implementation so your team can make informed decisions every step of the way. 

The most valuable consultation comes from best-in-class providers focused on inventory management. By concentrating on a single area of expertise, these providers bring deeper knowledge and practical insights. All-in-one providers, by contrast, must spread their attention across multiple disciplines – such as labor, accounting, or payroll – which can dilute their expertise in any one area.

Responsive, Knowledgeable Customer Support 

Even with excellent training and consultation, questions and challenges inevitably arise. The best providers offer responsive support to keep your system running smoothly and your team productive. As with expert consultation, the deeper and more focused the knowledge of the support staff, the better the results.

Support stats – response times, resolution rates, and so on – can provide some insight, but they are static and based on averages. The most reliable way to evaluate a provider’s support is to speak with customer references from other brands like yours. Hearing directly from current users is the best way to understand what you can truly expect.

Product Customization for Your Restaurant Brand 

For multi-location restaurant brands using multiple features within an inventory system, it’s common to need adjustments – whether changes to existing features, modifications to reports, or entirely new reports or functionality. Not every brand operates in the same way, and a one-size-fits-all product approach can limit operational effectiveness.

Many software providers are either unequipped to offer customizations or view them as disruptive to their business. The best providers, however, are willing to make custom modifications and do so promptly. A responsive provider that embraces customizations can not only enhance their product but also help improve your operational results.

Summary 

Choosing the right inventory system isn’t just about features. Fast setup, ongoing database maintenance, comprehensive training, expert consultation, responsive support, and timely product customizations all contribute to long-term success. When a provider delivers these services effectively, they become a true partner.